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Mediterranean migrants: EU to discuss quota plan Mediterranean migrants: Italy warns EU over quota plan
(about 4 hours later)
EU interior ministers are to discuss how to deal with tens of thousands of migrants trying to enter Europe each year by crossing the Mediterranean. EU interior ministers are to discuss how to respond to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean, with Italy threatening a strong response if no deal is reached.
A key issue at the talks in Luxembourg is a plan to distribute asylum seekers more evenly across all 28 EU states.A key issue at the talks in Luxembourg is a plan to distribute asylum seekers more evenly across all 28 EU states.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said without agreement Italy would adopt a "Plan B" that would "hurt" Europe.
The crisis has put a huge strain on Italian, Greek and Maltese resources.The crisis has put a huge strain on Italian, Greek and Maltese resources.
But some northern and eastern European nations argue that migrants should not be forced to move to countries where they do not want to settle. While some EU states including Germany and Austria back a deal to share a total of 60,000 asylum seekers across 25 nations, others argue that migrants should not be forced to move to countries where they do not want to settle. The UK, Denmark and Ireland have exemptions from the quota plan.
More than 1,800 migrants have died in the Mediterranean so far this year - a 20-fold increase on the same period in 2014. The majority had set sail aboard rickety, overcrowded boats from strife-torn Libya.More than 1,800 migrants have died in the Mediterranean so far this year - a 20-fold increase on the same period in 2014. The majority had set sail aboard rickety, overcrowded boats from strife-torn Libya.
In recent weeks, naval vessels have rescued thousands of people at risk of drowning, but plans to resettle illegal migrants across Europe and break up the smuggling networks have yet to be agreed. In recent weeks naval vessels, including the UK's HMS Bulwark, have rescued thousands of people at risk of drowning, but plans to resettle migrants across Europe and break up the smuggling networks have yet to be agreed.
Italy's 'Plan B'Italy's 'Plan B'
Italy and Greece - which have already seen more than 100,000 boat people arrive on their shores this year - insist other EU nations must share some of the burden. Italy and Greece - which have already seen more than 100,000 boat people arrive on their shores this year - insist other EU nations must share some of the burden. Italy has seen an influx of almost 60,000 migrants, mainly from Libya.
The Italian government says it wants a fair distribution of new arrivals around Europe and more enforced repatriations of those deemed "economic migrants". Mr Renzi is reported to have warned that, without a fair deal, Italy would start issuing temporary visas to enable migrants to travel beyond Italy under Schengen rules.
"If the European Council chooses solidarity, then good. If it doesn't we have a Plan B ready but that would be a wound inflicted on Europe," he told Italy's Corriere della Sera.
Although details of that Plan B have not been given, reports suggest that Italy would refuse to allow migrants rescued by foreign navies to disembark on its shores.
Asked whether that was true, Italian European Affairs Minister Sandro Gozzi told BBC Radio that "we are not there yet".
"It is clear that in a possible second phase we will apply international maritime law in all its aspects," he said.
For the past few days, Italy has also been involved in a row with France over the presence of more than 200 African migrants stuck on the border.
France has accused Italy of failing to respect EU asylum rules, but the Rome government has argued the migrants see Italy only as a transit country.
EU quota proposalsEU quota proposals
Migrants: What can Europe achieve?Migrants: What can Europe achieve?
Rome has warned that if other EU countries are not supportive Italy has a "plan B", which, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says would "first and foremost... hurt Europe".
The European Commission has said it wants to adopt "immediate measures to prevent human tragedies and to deal with emergencies".The European Commission has said it wants to adopt "immediate measures to prevent human tragedies and to deal with emergencies".
The commission wants to relocate some 24,000 of the new arrivals in Italy and 16,000 in Greece to other EU members according to a "distribution key" that takes account of factors such as population, gross domestic product and unemployment, as well as the number of refugees already taken in. The commission wants to relocate some 24,000 of the new arrivals in Italy and 16,000 in Greece to other EU members, according to a "distribution key" that takes account of factors such as population, gross domestic product and unemployment, as well as the number of refugees already taken in.
A separate proposal would resettle 20,000 mainly Syrian refugees currently living in camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.A separate proposal would resettle 20,000 mainly Syrian refugees currently living in camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.
However, France and Germany - which together would be expected to receive more than 30% of the relocated refugees - have asked for "fairer burden-sharing".However, France and Germany - which together would be expected to receive more than 30% of the relocated refugees - have asked for "fairer burden-sharing".
They also say that greater emphasis should be placed on the number of asylum seekers already taken in.They also say that greater emphasis should be placed on the number of asylum seekers already taken in.
Meanwhile, Poland has voiced its opposition to mandatory quotas, saying it is up to member states to make their own decisions.Meanwhile, Poland has voiced its opposition to mandatory quotas, saying it is up to member states to make their own decisions.